Fort Smith Women Make Arkansas History

JACKSONVILLE — Nine years ago, Jennifer Rambo was a shy girl who loved playing first base for the Jacksonville Lady Red Devils softball team.

JACKSONVILLE — Nine years ago, Jennifer Rambo was a shy girl who loved playing first base for the Jacksonville Lady Red Devils softball team.

Times have changed for Rambo, and possibly the entire state.

Rambo and her girlfriend of four years, Kristin Seaton, became the first same-sex couple to be legally married in Arkansas on Saturday morning at the Carroll County courthouse in Eureka Springs, gaining the Fort Smith couple national exposure from Time to Newsweek to the Los Angeles Times.

Pulaski County Circuit Judge Chris Piazza ruled the state’s ban on gay marriage to be unconstitutional at 4:51 p.m. May 9.

The couple were in Little Rock for a going-away party as Seaton’s brother prepared to enter military basic training.

"We found out (about the ruling) on the news Friday, then later that night my cousin Dustin informed us that the courthouse in Eureka Springs would be open Saturday," Seaton said. "We couldn’t believe it."

"We were so excited," Rambo said. "As soon as her cousin called, we and my sister Tammy got in the car and immediately drove to Eureka (Springs)."

Arriving in the middle of the night and sleeping in their car, the couple set alarms for every 30 minutes to ensure they wouldn’t get pushed to the back of what was sure to be a long line.

When another car pulled up early in the morning, Rambo sprinted to the door to keep their place in line.

The clerk that morning told the crowd that she wouldn’t be issuing licenses because she did not have the authority to do so. At one point, she closed the door until she was given further instructions.

"It was heartbreaking," Rambo said. "After she shut the door on all of us, about 75 couples, we stayed in line and just stayed positive. The next thing we know, the police were showing up and telling us we had to get out of the way so the ‘normal’ customers could come through."

"We were devastated," Seaton said. "Tears amongst just about everyone there. We went and sat back in the car for a little while."

"My sister and Kristin kept saying they had a feeling we shouldn’t leave," Rambo said. "I said a little prayer, asking God to prove that love conquers all, and it wasn’t long after that the doors reopened. Couples who had been together for close to 50 years were so kind to us, telling us to get back in the front of the line since we had stood there since 5 a.m. It was such a great feeling. So much love."

The doors opened shortly after Carroll County Deputy Clerk Jane Osborn arrived at 10 a.m. to intervene. Another key player was Laura Phillips, a nurse from Fayetteville who is also on the Board of Directors for the Northwest Arkansas Center for Equality and an ordained minister.

"I drove in early that morning because I wanted to be there to make sure people could, in fact, get married," Phillips said. "They (Rambo and Seaton) were both crying and shaking. We all were. It was such a huge thing and after all the emotions of the day, it was just wonderful to have it done."

Rambo earned an associate degree at Northwest Community College in Bentonville in 2010, the same year she met Seaton, who was finishing her volleyball career at the University of Arkansas.

Seaton, a teacher, convinced Rambo to go back to school as a full-time student; she’s majoring in English and plans to get a master’s in school counseling.

"We were brought up religious, and both Kristin and I are Christians who truly believe that God loves us the same as everyone else," Rambo said. "One of the things my father always told us growing up, and it was actually one of the last things he told me before he passed away, was to make God my best friend because he will never leave my side. I wish that people didn’t have such a hard time accepting others, especially when the Bible is thrown into the mix. Romans 13:10 is a verse I hope everyone opens their heart to one day."

The verse reads "Love does no ill to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law."

Although they already have their marriage license and ceremony, they also plan a traditional wedding for October so friends and family can attend.

"It’s an indescribable feeling to be a part of history," Rambo said. "I’m still in shock by it all, but love and equality are two very important things. So, this new journey we’ve entered is worth every minute of it!"